Do Mark Allen’s transfer plans suggest Rangers will discard Bruno Alves?

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Bruno Alves is one of the highest earners in Rangers’ squad but does he have a future at Ibrox and the Scottish Premiership?

Big things were expected of Bruno Alves when the former Porto, Fenerbahce and Zenit St Petersburg defender completed a shock move to Rangers last summer.

But the 36-year-old, who has played 95 times for Portugal and won the European Championships in 2016, has been one of the biggest disappointments in another underwhelming campaign at Ibrox.

Alves has not quite performed as fans expected him to, losing his place to youngsters Ross McCrorie and David Bates since Graeme Murty replaced Pedro Caixinha, and was linked with a move away in January as he fretted about his place in Portugal’s World Cup squad.

And, despite having a year remaining on his contract, latest reports suggest that Alves’ Rangers future is once again set to come under scrutiny.

The Mail claims that Rangers’ director of football Mark Allen is keen to sign two new defenders in the summer, particularly after Danny Wilson left for Colorado Rapids and Bates (below) signed a pre-contract agreement with Hamburg.

Alves, who missed Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Hearts through injury, could find himself further down the pecking order next season then.

So, with his 37^th birthday coming up this year, it makes no sense to stay at Ibrox in the autumn of his career unless first-team football is guaranteed.

Perhaps it would be better for both player and club if they moved on this summer.